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Editorial: Summertime fun

August 7, 2014 Editorial Staff

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Its a Brooklyn summer, and the living is certainly easy. While many residents have left town for all or part of the summer, those who remain are able to enjoy a plethora of activities from street fairs to concerts to theatrical performances, outdoors, and often for little or no money.

In Bay Ridge alone, there have been numerous summer entertainments including at least two Shakespearean performances Act Out!s rendition of Othello and most recently, BrooklynONEs performance of Romeo and Juliet, plus concerts in Shore Road Park, courtesy of State Senator Marty Golden (who also allocates funding for a series of concerts in Marine Park), a variety of activities on the Eco-Dock at 69th Street, thanks to Councilmember Vincent Gentile, and even several opportunities to do yoga in the park, thanks to Golden and Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis.

Then, there is Summer Stroll, which is turning a stretch of Third Avenue into a pedestrian plaza for four Friday evenings two successful events in July and two upcoming this month — with entertainment, outdoor dining and more. Its been a huge success, drawing large crowds eager to enjoy everything the strip has to offer.

Go past Bay Ridge, and the selection broadens even more.

Green-Wood Cemetery has a schedule of events that have ranged from presentations of Our Town to a Memorial Day concert to the recent recreation of Niblos Pleasure Garden.

Park Slope has its own version of Summer Stroll, on a portion of Fifth Avenue, which also houses Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, performing Romeo and Juliet several days this summer. Just a few blocks away, Prospect Park offers a multitude of opportunities from zoo visits to concerts at the Bandshell to the new Lakeside Center where, in summer, roller-skaters are welcome.

Then, theres Coney Island the perennial peoples playground, drawing crowds to enjoy the vintage rides, a walk along the Boardwalk, a hot dog at Nathans as well as some new, scary rides that kick the entire experience up a notch.

Not far away is Brighton Beach, where August promises the latest rendition of one of the boroughs most popular summer street fairs, the Brighton Jubilee. And, just a little bit further along is Sheepshead Bay, where the waterfront beckons strollers, the restaurants entice, and the fishing boats offer an opportunity to go out on the water and cast a line.

Whats most amazing is that all of this is just the beginning. In every corner of the borough, there is so much to discover, so much to enjoy.